The parents of pilot Wang Wei, have endured great sorrow since their son disappeared following a mid-air collision between the fighter plane he was flying and a US reconnaissance plane on Sunday.

"I am proud of my son, his aviation was nothing wrong and the US side should make an apology and be held responsible for all lost", said Wang Ming, the missing pilot's father.

The 63-year-old father Wang Ming, who suffers from heart disease and hypertension, and his 56-year-old mother Wang Yueqin, who has been ill with a severe cold, have been taken to a local hospital due to their worsening physical conditions after being informed of the incident.

They are both retired workers of the Huzhou Machine Tools Plant in East China's Zhejiang Province.

"I do not feel like eating and can not sleep. I miss my son," said Wang's father. His mother also expressed strong concern over the whereabouts of her son.

Wang Ming said he sent Wang Wei to the PLA for defending our country. He also expressed his thanks to the Chinese Government and the people from all walks of life for the utmost rescue efforts and their concern about his son's life.

Wang Lin, Wang Wei's sister is also extremely rundown because of sleepless nights following her brother's incident.

Zhong Qingyu, Wang Wei's former junior middle school teacher at Huzhou No 3 Middle School, said Wang Wei was a good student who was extremely responsible and always ready to help others.

A passionate person, Wang was the most active student in his class, said Zhong.

(People's Daily 04/06/2001)